Appointment Reflects High Esteem For ABS and Good NZ Relationship, Says Australian Statistician

The Australian Statistician, Dennis Trewin, today confirmed that Brian Pink, the ABS's Statistical Support Group Manager, would leave the bureau shortly to take up an appointment as New Zealand Government Statistician and chief executive of Statistics New Zealand.

Mr Trewin said the appointment was announced in New Zealand today by the New Zealand State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham. (NB: Media please note attached text of media release by NZ State Services Commissioner).

Mr Pink will join Statistics New Zealand on Monday, 16 October. He will replace Len Cook, who was appointed the National Statistician in the United Kingdom earlier this year.

It is the first time in the post-war era that a non New Zealander has taken on the Wellington-based position of Statistician.

"Besides recognising his own unique abilities, Brian's selection for this position reflects the high esteem that is held for the Australian Bureau of Statistics in international statistical circles," Mr Trewin said.

"The appointment also further strengthens the already very strong and productive relationship between agencies that is enjoyed by both the ABS and Statistics New Zealand.

"Over the years this has led to the beneficial sharing of a wide range of statistical and technical knowledge which has helped both organisations maintain their strong position as national statistical agencies."

Mr Pink said he was greatly looking forward to taking on the appointment.

"I will be bringing a broadknowledge of the business of statistics and how the many demands of the community can be met by a quality statistical program," he said.

Media statement from the New Zealand State Services Commissioner

Appointment of the Government Statistician

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today the appointment of a senior Australian statistician as the New Zealand Government Statistician and chief executive of Statistics New Zealand. He is Brian Pink, who is currently the group manager - statistical support group, at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) based in Canberra.

Mr Pink will join Statistics New Zealand on Monday, 16 October. He will replace Len Cook, who was appointed the National Statistician in the United Kingdom earlier this year.

Mr Pink, who has an extensive background in economic statistics, currently runs a large part of operations at the ABS. He has overall responsibility for 900 permanent staff and 650 part-time field staff. He is responsible for an annual budget of $(A) 100 million. Mr Pink was previously chief information officer (CIO) for the ABS.

Between 1987 and 1993 he was the Government Statistician in the state of Western Australia, and, concurrently, Deputy Commonwealth Statistician. Between 1995 and 1997, he served on the Statistics New Zealand information technology steering committee because of his particular expertise in information technology in statistics organisations. Mr Pink has a B.Com from the University of New South Wales.

Mr Wintringham said Mr Pink had substantial experience managing organisations, like Statistics New Zealand, that collect, analyse, and disseminate social, demographic, and economic data. "He understands the conceptual and practical sides of statistics, and the role of statistics in policy advice and policymaking."

Mr Pink is among the most experienced managers, in the Australian public sector, in information technology. He is a member of the editorial advisory board of 'MIS' magazine, and he was among Australia's top 30 IT managers in a recently-published book. "Mr Pink brings skills in this area that will be valuable to Statistics New Zealand and to the public sector generally in New Zealand," Mr Wintringham said.

The Government Statistician is appointed by the State Services Commissioner, in his own right, under section 37 of the State Sector Act 1988.

Statistics New Zealand collects and provides statistics on New Zealand society and the economy, for the Government's own use and for the use of the public. The Government Statistician, who is also the chief executive of the department, is the Government's principal advisor on statistics. The department has about 650 full-time employees and annual revenue of about $51 million.